Isaiah 63:1

Isaiah 63:1 says, Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.  Edom had been an enemy of Israel for years, but they were not victorious.  Isaiah asked Who was the coming Deliverer Who would be clothed in glorious apparel and traveling in the greatness of His strength.  Through Cyrus was going to deliver the people of Israel from their captivity in Babylon, this Deliverer is Jesus Christ.  If we are a Christian, we need to speak in the righteousness of God so that we might reach others. 

Verse two adds, Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?  The question was asked why this coming Deliverer’s garments were covered in red.  We know that it is through the shed blood of Christ that we are saved and that His blood covers all our sins.  The question was also asked if this One had been treading grapes for wine and that was the reason their garments were red.  Treading grapes was the job of servants and not of a conquering hero, but Jesus Christ came in a servants role and not as a Hero.  People today still question Who He is and many don’t want to accept the fact that it is by His blood that we are saved. 

Verse three continues, I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.  Isaiah said that this coming Messiah proclaimed that He had tread the wine press alone without any help from others.   He then says He will tread on those who do not put their faith in Him with fury and their blood would stain His garment.  We can either accept salvation through putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, or we can one day face His judgment. 

Verse four states, For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.  Isaiah said that God was ready to have His day of vengeance.  It may be a long time in coming, and it certainly has since Isaiah’s day, but we can rest assured that it is coming when God says the day is here, but if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, we won’t feel His vengeance.  Of course, there was a day of deliverance when God brought the people of Israel out of Babylon and before that when He bought them out of Egypt, but these were temporary deliverances and not the day of vengeance of the Lord. 

Verse five adds, And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.  God said that He looked and there was no one to help Him deliver people from the bondage of sin I believe.  God could find no one qualified to redeem His people, so He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to redeem them by dying in their place.  The death penalty for sin has already been paid, but if we don’t accept God’s gift of salvation, one day we will know His vengeance. 

Verse six continues, And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.  God said that when His day of vengeance came, that He would destroy all His enemies.  We might say that God shouldn’t act out of wrath, but we have to understand that He acted out of love first.  I believe that His wrath comes from His making salvation possible and people refusing to accept it.  Sin must be punished, and if we don’t accept Jesus Christ’s payment for it, then we will have to pay the penalty for our sins, and that is everlasting punishment separated from God.